Palestinian militants today warned of swift and bloody retaliation against Israel after it "opened the gates of hell" by assassinating Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin. Hamas and other armed groups in the region warned of an immediate escalation in violence, while tens of thousands of mourners poured on to the streets of Gaza for the funeral procession of Yassin.
<li><a class="standardtextsmall" href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=33007">World condemns assassination</a>
<li><a class="standardtextsmall" href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=32994">SA condemns assassination</a>

George Bush’s re-election campaign suffered a stinging blow when the president’s former chief counter-terrorism adviser accused him of doing ”a terrible job” in protecting America against attack, largely because of a fixation on Iraq.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was flattered but could not be tempted into agreeing that Monday’s historic nine-wicket over South Africa, the second-ranked team in the world, was the Black Caps’ most complete Test cricket win.

Sundowns were made to pay dearly for the chances they missed in the first half as Kaizer Chiefs moved closer to the first league championship in 12 years with a hard fought 2-0 Castle Premiership win over the Brazilians at the Odi stadium on Sunday.

The Stormers’ hopes of making the Super 12 semifinals were dealt a damaging blow on Saturday when they went down 33-15 to the Brumbies at Newlands. Although the Cape side appear to be in a healthy position on the log, the loss to the Brumbies was their second at home and they are yet to tour Australasia.

Rahul Dravid cracked a defiant 76 not out as India fought back from the brink to defeat Pakistan by five wickets on Sunday and level the five-match series 2-2. The tourists, chasing Pakistan’s seemingly unbeatable 293-9, overcame the loss of four top batsmen by the 13th over to surpass the target with five overs to spare.

A second-innings collapse from Free State allowed Western Province to run out easy eight-wicket winners with a day to spare in their Supersport Series Super Six cricket match at Goodyear Park on Sunday. The home side began the second innings with a 120-run lead but were skittled out for a mere 78.

Outraged team officials, coaches and upset parents marched hundreds of athletes, who arrived in East London at the weekend for the SA Games, out of arranged accommodation facilities, describing them as ”unacceptable”. They argued that some of the pre-booked guest houses were still being renovated and did not have sufficient rooms, toilet or even blankets.

A high court in Zimbabwe will on Monday hear an urgent application brought by lawyers representing 70 men detained in Harare on charges of plotting to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea for their case to be heard in an open court.